When it comes to finding the best school holiday activities in Adelaide this spring look no further. It can be tough for parents to continually come up with school holiday ideas with everything else we have to do as parents and sometimes even getting out of the house can be a struggle! So leave the October school holiday fun to us and you just choose what works best for you and your family.
In Adelaide we excel at showcasing our natural environment and history and we have a range of October school holiday activities and school holiday ideas Adelaide on offer, from beautiful gardens to iconic museums! Adelaide locals are incredibly lucky to have such great natural wonders and outdoor activities on our doorstep and with so many things to do during the spring school holidays in Adelaide, we really are spoiled for choice.
Adelaide kids school holiday activities don’t have to be a chore, even if you stay at home this spring (check out our stay at home ideas included below). So remember to check the weather, and then get stuck into these school holiday ideas to entertain children of all ages with these school holiday activities in Adelaide.
We have compiled the complete guide to the best school holiday activities in Adelaide over the October school holidays to help make your life so much easier!
This article is an ‘at-a-glance’, go-to resource for parents listing the best things to do school holidays Adelaide style! If you are looking for school holiday programs in Adelaide where you can leave your kids to be looked after while you work or take care of other responsibilities, then we have that covered too. If you are looking for school holiday ideas for teenagers in Adelaide, we can help!
State schools finish on Friday 27 September and return to class on Monday 14 October 2024.
Spring school holidays in South Australia are Saturday 28 September – Sunday 13 October 2024.
Fun things to do in Adelaide school holidays
We have broken our list of Adelaide school holiday activities into sections to help you:
- Fun things to do in Adelaide school holidays
- 10 BIG days out in Adelaide these spring school holidays
- 10 fun cheap school holiday activities this October
- 10 fun free school holiday activities
- 5 things to do at home these school holidays
- Theatres with kids shows on in Adelaide these school holidays
- Fun activities in Adelaide at night for kids
- Adelaide kids holiday ideas
As with everything at the moment, please check with the venue directly (either by their website or social media pages) to ensure they are open during the times you wish to attend. You should also check their current policy around advanced bookings, entry requirements and timings.
10 BIG days out in Adelaide these spring school holidays
These activities are sure to leave an impression these September school holidays and will have them bragging to their friends when they get back to school.
Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Zoo is Australia’s second oldest zoo and has more than 1800 animals. A must see are the giant pandas, Australia’s only breeding pandas! You can also see lions, tigers, orangutans and much much more.
Click here to find out more about Adelaide Zoo.
Tree Climb Adelaide
Get outside and go climbing at this aerial playground. Conveniently located in the CBD the kids course has varying levels of difficulty meaning you can find something for everyone. There is even an adults course for the big kids!
Monarto Safari Park
Located just outside of Adelaide, the Monarto Safari Park has a huge range of exotic animals located in an open plan environment. Set off on an African safari and see incredible creatures from the comfort and safety of a safari vehicle. This is definitely a unique experience not to be missed.
Read more about this park here.
Seal Island
Get up close to nature and visit Seal Island, also known as Seal Rock. From the comfort of your boat you can see sea lions and fur seals lounging in the sun.
Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval is home to cricket, music and AFL and is must see for sporting fans. Kids can imagine running onto the ground at full capacity and go behind the scenes to see where their favourite sporting fans get ready.
Read more about this iconic stadium here.
If you fancy something more daring, you can do the roof tour!
Mega Adventure Park
This park is one for the thrill seekers. Climb, swing or skywalk your way through this adventure playground. Climb the mega structure and navigate the obstacles or swing through the air 18m above the ground.
Waterworld Aquatic Centre
This fun filled waterpark caters for all family members. Toddlers will love the splash pool with slides and sprinklers, and parents will love that it is only 15cm deep and shaded! For the bigger kids, send them down the 77m (yes you read that correctly!) SupaJet or watch them race on the racing slides.
Find all you need to know here.
Cirkidz
Have the kids always wanted to run away to the circus? Now you can let them! Join a Cirkidz program these school holidays and they can learn how to flip, fly, balance plates or tumble. This fun and energetic activity is a must for these school holidays.
Hahndorf’s Farm Barn
These holidays let the kids experience the magic of spending time with animals at Hahndorf’s Farm Barn. This interactive experience allows kids to milk a cow, hold baby animals and hold baby chicks and rabbits. Learn how a real farm works and watch a farm show throughout the day.
Woodhouse Activity Centre
Check out the range of activities happening at Woodhouse Activity Centre all year round, including their school holiday programs. Specialising in ‘adventure therapy’ kids can challenge themselves on the obstacle course, find their way out of a maze, go orienteering and much much more.
Click here to find out about what’s happening.
If you are looking for even more things to do around Adelaide, we love this list of 100 Adelaide experiences. Check it out for even more ideas!
10 fun cheap school holiday activities this October
While not everything in life is free, these activities won’t break the bank. These low cost activities are great options the upcoming school holiday in Adelaide.
Adelaide University Sport and Fitness School Holiday Program
The Adelaide University Sport School Holiday Program returns these Autumn holidays, filled with action packed days to keep your children active over the break. Experienced coaches will assist in developing new sporting skills, whilst building social skill and physical literacy.
Your children can train like a pro, while taking on unique sports they may have never tried before! They will stay active and fit over the break, while also developing relationships with others.
Coached by some of the university’s elite athletes, they will learn the fundamentals of sports such as AFL, Soccer, Judo, Gymnastics and more.
The School Holiday Program will help develop attitudes and feelings towards interactions with others, while building motivation to stay fit and healthy over the holiday break.
Get excited and register today!
Adelaide University, Victoria Drive, Adelaide SA 5005
Pixar-Themed Mini Golf Course
This open air, pop-up mini-golf sensation is made up of interactive putt-putt holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films including Toy Story, Cars, Monsters, Inc., Turning Red, Soul, The Incredibles, Onward, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, Inside Out, Luca and Lightyear. This season will also be the Adelaide debut of a new hole from Pixar’s newest release, Elemental.
The experience is perfect for players of all ages and is sure to become a popular destination through the school holiday season.
Find out more about the mini golf here.
West Beach Mini Golf
Who doesn’t love beating their family at a game of mini golf! This nautical themed park will give you close encounters with a crocodile, shark, pirate and whale while navigating this course. Families tip: For those that don’t want to play, there is an undercover area where you can sit to watch the rest of the family fight it out.
Take a look at the website here.
Bounce
Imagine 50 trampolines all interconnected and you have Bounce. Unleash all that energy bouncing around in the free jump area, jump off a balcony onto a giant air bag or do a massive slam dunk from your trampoline! There really is something for everyone at Bounce.
South Australian Aviation Museum
This is for the kids that want to take to the air one day. Sit in the pilot’s seat with a cockpit tour of some classic aircraft like an F-111, jet or transport vehicle. With special events happening all year, be sure to find out what is on these holidays.
Find out what’s happening this school holidays here.
Latitude – now Bounce Inc.
Bounce, climb, skate or play the day away! This action packed activity centre has something for kids of all ages and abilities. Grab a group of friends and have a blast at this giant arial playground.
Mega Fast Karts
Feel the need for speed? Grab your friends and head to Mega Fast Karts to get racing. For those that don’t fancy the karts, laser skirmish, a dodgem track and an arcade centre are also located at the facility.
South Australian Maritime Museum
Situated in Port Adelaide this maritime museum allows kids to explore what life was like on the high seas. Climb aboard a sailboat or sea what a bedroom on a boat really looks like.
Check out what’s on these holidays:
- Port River Cruise on the Historic Vessel ‘Archie Badenoch’
Read more about the museum here.
Mega Courts Indoor Sports
Join in the school holiday fun while enjoying inflatable castles, mazes or testing your soccer skills against inflatable goal keepers! There are two different zones to cater for different age groups so you can relax in knowing that no matter how old, the kids are having fun.
Funtopia
At Funtopia you can enjoy indoor rock climbing or an adventure playground. With different zones for different ages (including a toddler world) it is a perfect family destination. A fun-believable day out!
National Railway Museum
This is a museum for all the train enthusiasts out there or for those who just love a train ride. In additional to the range of trains on display, you can enjoy a train ride along the coast, included in your ticket price. Make sure to check out the events that happen all year round as well.
Insiders tip: Check out their website to download kids activities beforehand to get them excited.
10 fun free school holiday activities
As the old saying goes, the best things in life are free, so why not do them in Adelaide! These activities will have the school holidays flying by and you won’t have to spend a dime.
Adelaide Central Market
The Adelaide Central Market is a feast for the senses and at over 150 years old and holds the best of what Adelaide has to offer. Wander through this expansive market that showcases fresh and local produce.
Families tip: Be sure to check out their free Market Minis program for kids.
If you are a foodie, just hop on board with a breakfast tour.
South Australian Museum
This natural history museum is a place for families to learn and have fun. Families can visit the discovery centre to get all their questions answered and kids will love the collection of fossils on display. It has an ever changing calendar of events so be sure to add it to your list these holidays.
Check out these exhibitions and events on these school holidays:
- RELICS: A New World Rises exhibition
- Museum Capers PJ Party – hosted by Professor Flint
Wilfred Taylor Reserve
This expansive space will keep all members of the family (including the pets!) busy for the day. Bring along a picnic and soak up the atmosphere while the kids enjoy the nature based playground and the dogs enjoy the dog obstacle course. Families tip: On the second and fourth Sunday of the month there are train rides for a minimal charge.
Find out more about the park here.
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Beautiful gardens and architecture greet you as you wander through these gardens. Spend some time in the visitor centre learning about the plants or take a guided (or self-guided walk) and catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife that calls these gardens home. Families tip: Catch the free tram to the gardens to add to the excitement.
Click here to read about the botanical gardens.
SA Police Road Safety Centre
What better way to teach kids to ride a bike and learn about road safety than to visit the Road Safety Centre. The SA Police have done a great job setting up a mock roadway which includes traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts and a pedestrian crossing. Bring your bike and helmet and spend a few hours riding around.
Glenelg Foreshore Playground
This epic playground is beside the beach, has awesome equipment AND a waterplay area. Kids will love climbing, splashing and sliding and when they are tired of that, they can run on the beach. Families tip: Bring a change of clothes for after the wet and sandy play, then grab dinner at a café nearby.
Check out Glenelg Playground for more information.
Morialta Conservation Park
This stunning park is home to waterfalls, walking tracks and one of Adelaide’s biggest playgrounds. Take the day to explore this beautiful part of the world by foot or bike and the kids will be sure to come home with stories to tell.
St Kilda Adventure Playground
This epic playground is one to take the kids to when you need to tire them out. With a castle built into a hill (complete with a drawbridge), slides, flying fox and plenty of open space to run around in it is easy to spend a bit of time here.
Read up on the playground here.
Playford Town Skate Park
If you prefer to have fun on wheels, then head to Playford Town and check out the skate park. There is plenty of room for kids to skate (half pipe anyone?) or bike around and show off their skills. Located in the same area is an adventure playground and waterplay area for those not so keen on skating.
Warrapinga Wetlands
Warrapinga wetlands is a greenspace that has a series of ponds designed to encourage wildlife to the area. It is the perfect spot to watch birdlife or bring a picnic. The wetlands are also home to Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, which interprets Kaurna culture and heritage.
Families tip: Bring the bikes so you can ride around the bike tracks.
Find out about the wetlands here.
5 things to do at home these school holidays
When you just can’t leave the house, these stay at home activities will be crowd pleasers with the kids. Sometimes the best memories are made in your own home.
Go on a treasure hunt
Make a list of things you can easily find in your backyard and send the kids out to find them. Make it even more interesting by getting them to draw some things as well.
Build a cubby house with sheets
Building a cubby never gets old. Grab some sheets, towels and their favourite toys and make a cubby under the kitchen table.
Put on a show
Give the kids a theme and ask them to put on a show. Let them raid your wardrobe for costumes. You might be amazed with what they perform.
Plant a veggie garden
Getting kids outside is always a great idea. Grab some seeds from your local nursery or hardware store and start a veggie patch. It is a great way for kids to interact with nature and see where food comes from.
Make your own jigsaw puzzle
Ask you kids to do a drawing and then cut it into shapes. Watch them enjoy trying to put it all back together again. Tip: Glue the picture onto cardboard first to give it a solid backing before cutting it out.
Theatres with kids shows on in Adelaide these school holidays
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
If you are looking for a top venue for entertainment these school holidays, you can’t go past the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. With family entertainment programs these holidays, make sure you take some time out to see a show.
Marion Cultural Centre
The Marion Cultural Centre has kids covered when it comes to entertainment these holidays. The lineup includes music, comedy, and magic so you will find a show that everyone loves. Spots fill up fast so make sure to get in quick.
Patch Theatre
Patch Theatre specialises in theatre specifically for kids and families. With shows to inspire and ignite little imaginations, Patch will leave the kids wanting more.
Read about the Patch show’s for these holidays.
Fun activities in Adelaide at night for kids
We have a whole article dedicated to things to do in Adelaide at night have have listed 30 of our favourite things you can do with kids over the school holidays at night, so do check that out too!
Adelaide kids holiday ideas
If you’re looking for more things to do in South Australia, click here.
Soooo…. what do you think? Plenty of Adelaide days out ideas here to keep you and the kids entertained for the whole school holidays? These Adelaide holiday ideas are updated every term, so remember to bookmark this page.
Let us know if we missed your favourite or if you would like us to add your venue or event!
I love the idea of doing something fun during the school holidays in Adelaide! There are so many things to do here, and I’m sure everyone would have a great time.